Photo by: Moises Arias

Colombian-American singer songwriter ¿Téo? (Mateo Arias) has announced the release of his new album Luna on August 18.

¿Téo? has naturally evolved a unique, neo-American sound since the release of his 2017 debut single, "Uno Dos," which featured longtime friend and collaborator Jaden Smith, drawing from a huge well that includes hip-hop, alternative, reggaetón, and even Brazilian bossa nova. Luna finds ¿Téo? making music that is modern yet nostalgic, surrounding the listener in a mist of familiar warmth, with its hypnotic vocals, cutting-edge production techniques, and old song structures and instrumentation.

Last week, ¿Téo? also released the album's latest single, "Don't Stare Too Long," which captures the album's emotions and honesty. He explores the natural blurred lines between love and lust and truth and fiction, especially when the stakes are high, over a late-night pace and languid acoustic guitar melodies: "It's heavy on the eyes / And it's hard for me to say no." "I think that's my favorite songwriting I've ever done," Arias says of the song. "That story comes directly from my personal experience, but I think anyone can relate to those uncomfortable moments with a partner. It’s hard to stare at someone in the eyes when you’re dealing with something really rough."  

The artist's third full-length album, titled "Luna", shows a clear contrast from his previous album, "Sol," which received critical acclaim in 2021. While Sol has a spontaneous, lively, and light ambiance that reflects its subject of incorporating "everything under the sun," Luna shares a deeper, more intriguing, and enigmatic tone that reflects the spirit of the moon.

In Luna, ¿Téo? deviates from the traditional practice among Latino musicians of merging Spanish hooks with English lyrics, opting to sing exclusively in one language. “I treat my music like the way I live my life,” he states of the decision, which showcases his natural ability to move back and forth between the cultures that run in his veins. “If I’m in a room with my mom and brother, I speak to my mom in Spanish and my brother in English. I’m separating them here, almost like a yin and yang.”

“I really care about making great music,” he states. “Yes, for the fans, but for my own sake as well. Making a great record is the end unto itself – there’s nothing I want to get out of it beyond that. That feeling I get when I hear a great song is unmatchable. That’s why I’m so passionate about music and why I want to take it as far as I possibly can.”